Wai Māori (Freshwater)
Our repo and awa are home to a cool range of elusive taonga species who build their lives around being hard to detect. We’d like to start using freshwater testing kits to help us identify which species are present in our wai, and keep track of their recovery.
These kits come at a cost, but they give us useful insights. Just through whānau volunteered survey hours we’ve already detected two new wetland bird species returning to the island in the last decade. With more tools we can deepend our undestanding of more species of manu, pekapeka, ika, and more.
We’re also using aerial imagery to track how the shape and size of the valley freshwater systems change over time, as forest regeneration and shifts in land use reshape the landscape.
Other surveying methods can include whānau night-time spotlighting surveys of the awa, using torches to spot and record freshwater species. It’s a hands-on way for whānau to get involved and deepen our connection to these taonga.
Keen for a kōrero?
We’re always keen to connect on kaupapa taiao, and all sorts of other odd things. If you think we should be speaking to each other, kōrero mai!